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Adaptable Deck

This versatile outdoor space offers three different types of entertaining areas, depending on the weather: a gathering spot around the fire pit, a deck for sunny afternoons and an enclosed gazebo. Design by Robert Hursthouse

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Cottage-Style Porch

This late 19th century home was completely refurbished, including a beautiful private porch that overlooks magnificent landscaping. A comfortable seating area complements the space and an outdoor rug anchors the primary seating area. Design by Ron Nathan

Contemporary Elements

Warm, natural elements like redwood, brick and plants make this outdoor space cozy. The custom brick pizza oven adds an element of fun to the space, which is perfect for family gatherings. Design by Claudia Schmutzler

A Bit of Bohemian

In an artistic couple's backyard, Jamie Durie created three pergolas for dining and lounging spaces. Each structure has a macrame roof made of hand-dyed ropes, from which baskets of flowers and foliage hang.

Vegetable Boardwalk

For a couple who wanted a garage remodel so they can develop their cooking-school-for-kids business, Jamie Durie created a "vegetable boardwalk" as part of the larger makeover. The vertical gardens greatly expand the amount of produce the couple can grow, and edibles are near the kitchen for easy care and harvest.

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Taking Indoors Outside

Modern, minimalist items made of steel and synthetic mesh fabric add style to this contemporary design and blur the line between inside and outside. Here, only glass doors separate the house and garden.

Contemporary Lounge

These neutrals work together to create a sleek and cozy outdoor space. The warm redwood deck and pergola are accented with creamy neutrals in the furniture and stone elements like the fire pit and walls. Design by Claudia Schmutzler

Mediterranean Dining

A Daybed to Remember

A fabulous swinging daybed provides resting space near the kitchen and dining counter on this contemporary urban deck. A grade-level planter adds year-round greenery. The arborvitae will fill out to create a green wall. Design by Adam Miller

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Floating Roof

A set of folding glass doors is the only thing dividing indoors and the outside. The floating roof, suspended between two giant trees, shades the inviting deck. A sunken deck for dining and shade-loving plants completes this Seattle-inspired design by Jamie Durie.

Creekside Retreat

Building Green

One of the eco-friendly elements of HGTV Green Home 2012 is the barbecue courtyard. Born of architect Steve Kemp's vision for a truly green design, the outdoor space replaces the conventional backyard, which would have required major regrading of the site and the construction of retaining walls. "Now the 'yard' is open to almost every room in the house, rather than being open to one or two rooms," he says.

Country in the City

This urban roof garden has it all  a place to relax and plenty of privacy, all with a touch of cottage style. Still, planting is minimal and restricted to containers, complementing the cushions on the benches.

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Tiny Retreat

Space is a premium in this urban garden, so designer Sam Joyce used the minimalist approach in this beautiful retreat. Built-in seating and just enough plants to make a statement keep the clutter down. Sam left room for additional chairs to be brought out from the house when necessary.

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Fun on Every Level

The deck provides a bird's-eye view of the multiple play areas and lounging options in this gorgeous hardscape, perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Rock columns on the deck perimeter help unify the look.